I picked up a six-pack of Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout in December, not noticing that one of the bottles had been replaced by a bottle of Brooklyn Winter Ale. I assumed that this was a bottle of the Brooklyn Winter Ale (aka Brooklyn Christmas Ale) that I had sampled at the Extreme Beer Fest in February of last year. However, recently I noticed an article on Beer Advocate about the new, completely overhauled Brooklyn Winter Ale. The new version is a Scottish Ale rather than a Winter Warmer. I let this warm to around 45º F and served it in my NERAX pint glass.

Appearance (4.0): Pours a clear amber-brown with a thick, sudsy, beige head that fades to a persistent, thin layer leaving some patchy lace as the glass is drained.

Smell (3.5): Very malty with caramel and toasty aromas most evident. There's also a tart fruity aroma and a bit of a metallic hint.

Taste (4.0): Toasty malts are first evident followed by caramel sweetness. Some tart flavors appear in the center and linger through to the finish where it's met by a grassy hop bitterness and a faint alcoholic spiciness. Very Scottish.